Play Squash Academy

Sleep Away Camps Mercersburg, PA

Spend one or two weeks being trained by the world’s best squash coaches at an exciting sleep-away camp on the beautiful Mercersburg Academy campus in Pennsylvania.

Our overnight squash camps are open to boys and girls ages 10 to 18. Whether you are new to squash or are a top junior player, in our camps you will experience world class squash training with seasoned coaches from England, Egypt, Australia, Pakistan, the United States and Mexico. The camp will run from June 18th – June 30th

SESSION DATES

  • June 18th – June 24th
  • June 24th – June 30th

Campers may attend one or both weeks of camp

Only Play Squash Academy emphasizes intensive learning in a fun, safe environment.

TRAIN WITH THE BEST

Play Squash Academy is bringing together an Elite Group of Internationally recognized Players and Coaches to raise your game and bring you the Best Summer Squash Camp Experience Ever!

PSA world ranking of # 27

About Shahjahan Khan

US # 1

Shahjahan Khan has been on Tour since 2011, but started making real strides up the World Rankings over the last couple of seasons.

The American had to wait three years before he made his first final on Tour, doing so at the Colony Ford Lincoln National Squash Academy Open, and that would become his first title as a professional a year later, as he beat Arthur Gaskin in the final in 2015.

He reached the semi-finals of the Samson Seattle Open and the 6th Parco Roshan Khan Open in 2016, but had to wait until 2018 before he made another final. That c game at the Wakefield PSA, where he lost out to Juan Camilo Vargas.

Khan claimed his second title later that year, beating Henrik Mustonen to win the Alliance Fabricating Ltd. Simon Warder Memorial Prostate Cancer Open, and he also had semi-final appearances at the 13th CNS International Squash Championship, Life Time Atlanta Open and Qualico Manitoba Open in the 2018-2019 campaign.

At the end of 2019, the American took two more victories, winning the Celestino Martinez Memorial Tournament and the Open International Niort Venise Verte. He made the semis of the Qualico Manitoba Open for a second straight year, and broke inside the top 60 in the World Rankings for the first time at the end of 2020.

Khan won his fifth Tour title in his first outing of 2021, claiming the victory at the Life Time City Centre Men’s Open Presented by NH Specialists before then also making the last 16 of the Squash on Fire Open. The American then broke into the third round of a Platinum event for the first time, doing so at the CIB Egyptian Open.

He also made the last 16 of the Challenger 30 level Cleveland Skating Club Open, before making it into the quarter finals of the Malaysian Open Squash Championships. Another appearance in a final came at the Wakefield PSA, before he started 2022 by reaching the second round of the Gold level Houston Open, and as a member of the world’s top 40.
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Wakefield High School Head Coach

About Mark Broekman

Mark was a top ranked junior player in England throughout his junior career, representing his county and region in the UK. He went to study at University in Liverpool, England and graduated with an honors degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology before joining the PSA world tour in 2014.

Mark has been a professional squash player on the PSA world tour for 9 years now. He has been ranked as high as #133 and remains inside the top 150 in the world. During his time on tour Mark has beaten numerous players ranked inside the top 100 and continues to train and work with both men and women ranked in the top 50 in the world including members of Team USA.

In recent years, he has focused more on his coaching. He has worked with various players that have been recruited to top college Ivy League programs and players ranked in the top 10 in their respective age groups. As well as Marks performance coaching experience, he has also worked with many beginner developmental players just starting out in squash. He has a passion for the game and loves to work with players of all ages and abilities.

Mark is currently the Head Squash coach and touring professional at Wakefield school in Northern Virginia.

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Achieved Highest World Ranking of 12

About Alister Walker

As a player, Alister has won 11 Professional Squash Association Tour titles and ranked as high as 12th in the world for squash. He has competed nationally and internationally for both England and Botswana, his birthplace. He won Botswana’s first international gold medal in squash with the Men’s Individual All-Africa Title in 2013 and was named Botswana Sportsman of the Year in 2013. He is also a Britain Under 23 champion and gold medalist in the World Junior Team Championships and Commonwealth Youth Games. Walker brings 16 years of professional squash experience to the athletes of Play Squash Academy. He previously served as assistant coach for the men’s and women’s squash teams at Columbia University and helped lead the squash program to its first Ivy league title in 2018. He began coaching while studying at Wycliffe College in England, and currently holds England Squash level three coaching certificate. Walker has helped organize exhibitions and tournaments around the world and worked with various community organizations in the U.S. to promote participation in squash. “I’m incredibly excited to be working with the players at Play Squash Academy and continuing to help grow the game of squash,” Walker said. “I’ve played and coached at the highest levels of the sport, and the opportunities available through this program are an unmatched resource for anyone looking to achieve their full potential on the court.”

Playing Career

Coaching Career

Former World Squash Team Member

About Nouran El-Torky

Nouran El-Torky began competing as a Professional Squash player at 14 years old. She is a former Egypt #3 and World #41 Squash Player. In 2007, 2009 and 2011, she represented Egypt on the World Team in National and International tournaments as a key player helping the World Junior Open team grab the Gold Medal 3 times. Nouran competed in PSA tournaments all over the world – winning 6 titles, taking the runner up slot 4 times and reaching the finals and semis of 13 PSA tournaments in Egypt, India, Malaysia, Australia and the United States. In 2016, while living in Egypt, she converted her experience, passion and talent for the game into an exciting coaching career. When she moved to the United States to continue her career in 2018, she joined the Play Squash Academy Coaching Staff. 

Nouran is a Pharmacy College Graduate, has her Management Skills Certification and is SafeSport Certified. She accomplished all of these goals while working full time as a Squash Coach.

In addition to being a coach on the Play Squash Academy team, Nouran has accepted the role of Assistant Director of Squash. In this role she contributes to the growth and development of the Squash program at all locations through strategic marketing strategies, expanding social media presence, organizing tournaments and large events, and supporting the needs of the staff and clients.

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Mohammad Essam El Sherif

Mohamed Essam El Sharif is a professional squash athlete and coach with over ten years of experience. Essam played for Egypt’s national team from 2009 to 2012, and in 2011, he was the top-ranked Egyptian junior player under the age of 19. Essam won nine Egyptian national team medals and represented Egypt on the global team. He won the Egyptian National Men’s Division in 2017, the Sporting Club Open Men’s Division in 2014, Egyptian Nationals in 2011, Egyptian National College Championship (Individual) in 2013, and the Egyptian Men’s League (Team) in 2013.

He also joined PSA and began competing professionally in 2010. He brought 10 PSA titles, including the 1st New Jersey Englewood PSA satellite in 2020, the 2nd Coppermine Baltimore PSA satellite in 2021, the 1st African Cup Championship (Team), South Africa in 2011, the 3rd African Cup Championship (Individual), South Africa in 2011, the 3rd IMET PSA Tournament, Slovakia in 2011, and many more.

Essam began instructing elite Egyptian players at Alexandria Sporting Club in 2013 and 2014. In 2010, he also came second in the Alexandria regional open. He turned his expertise, love, and talent for the game into an exciting coaching career while living in Egypt. From 2015 until 2022, he taught at dreadsports squash club and coppermine squash and fitness club in Baltimore, MD. Essam has ocially joined Play Squash Academy as Director of Squash for Columbia Athletic Club, from April 1st 2022.

Furthermore, he has extensive experience in all aspects of competitive squash programs, including competition, training, and program management. Enjoys motivating others to set long-term health and fitness objectives.

“I encourage my adult students to enjoy squash and work out on the side so they can stay healthy and play for life. With juniors, I focus on technique and high intensity repetition so they learn to react quickly, develop consistency and avoid making mistakes. 

But most of all, I want players to love the game. It has been a transformative part of my life allowing me to experience the beauty of the sport, travel to various countries to compete, and get to know people and cultures of different places all over the world. When I am coaching or playing, I bring everything I have experienced and learned to the court. It energizes and excites me to know that I am opening these possibilities to another person’s life.”

Nouran has made an impact in every endeavor in which she chooses to invest her time. We are grateful she has chosen to dedicate her experience, ideas and enthusiasm to the Play Squash Academy family.

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Hunt Richardson

Middlebury College, Head Coach

Spencer Lovejoy

Spencer Lovejoy

Full-Time Professional Squash Player, PSA World Tour

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Mark Lewis

Middlebury College, Head Coach

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Mark Broekman

Wakefield High School Head Coach

Sleep away camp at Mercersburg Academy with Coaches who will develop your mental toughness and physical strength, while teaching you how to win matches and be recruited by top schools.

Spots in these camps will fill quickly with returning campers. Reserve Yours Today!

Dates and Schedule

Week 1: June 18th - June 24th
Week 2: June 24th - June 30th

Time Description
7:30 am Rise & Shine
8:00 am Breakfast
8:45 am Drop off for athletes not staying on campus for the week
9:00 – 11:30 am Conditioning, Weight Training, Drills, and Technique work
11:45 am-12:30 pm Lunch
01:15 pm-04:15 pm AFTERNOON SESSION Athletic Psychology, Game Strategy, Nutrition Match Play Video Assessments
04:15 pm-05:00 pm Flexibility, Cool Down Performance Reflection Q&A with Coaches
05:30 pm Pick up of athletes not staying on campus for the week
05:30 pm-06:30 pm Dinner
06:30 pm-08:30 pm Recreational activities (Bowling/Pool/Student Center, Frisbee, etc.)
06:30 pm-08:30 pm Recreational activities (Bowling/Pool/Student Center, Frisbee, etc.)
08:30 pm-09:30 pm Return to the dormitory: Cards, board games, TV, etc.
09:30 pm Campers to their rooms
10:00 pm Lights Out